Over four decades ago, seven loving parents in the Brockport community, including Nancy Harkin, Don Lowry and Donna Lowry, with the support of local and state agency leaders, founded Lifetime Assistance.

They shared a common vision for an organization that would allow their children with developmental disabilities to live with the highest possible level of independence. This dream started to become a reality when Lifetime opened its first day treatment program, serving 32 people in November 1978.

Today, thanks to the generous support of a great many people throughout Western New York, Lifetime Assistance serves over 1,800 people every day at over 70 sites. Lifetime provides a full spectrum of individualized services to help children and adults with developmental disabilities reach their maximum potential by promoting independence, dignity and respect for individuals with disabilities.

 

1975 – A Group of interested parents explores the possibility of creating a new agency to provide services to people with developmental disabilities

1977 – Lifetime Assistance is Incorporated

1978 – Richard Kouwe named Lifetime’s first Executive Director; First day treatment program opens in Brockport; 32 people served

1979 – Lou Katz named first Director of Community Residence on Holley Street (Brockport)

1980 – LAICO Industries founded, offering employment opportunities for 70 people; Robert and Jacqueline Sperandio, Sporting Dog Specialties, Inc., award LAICO their first contract

1983 – First not-for-profit Intermediate Care Facility for adults in Monroe County

1986 – Lifetime expands throughout western Monroe County; now serves approximately 200

1988 – 62,000 sq. ft. Chili complex is opened, with James Branciforte named CEO; over 300 people served

1991 – Therapeutic Foster Care program developed

1992 – Transportation initiatives provide greater independence for program participants; Lifetime Assistance Family and Friends established

1993 – The early ’90’s are an active growth period for Lifetime, with 13 new locations; Lifetime celebrates 15 years; now serves over 500 individuals and families

1994 – Lifetime assistance Foundation established to assure ongoing funding support; Lifetime begins offering Day Habilitation services; Clarkson Apartments becomes the first Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) apartment in Monroe County

1995 – The Lowry Center opens after a $2.4 million capital campaign chaired by board member Robert Sperandio

1997 – Maya Angelou receives first Lifetime Inspiration Award; Lifetime selected by Monroe County Social Services Department to offer Family Support Services

1998 – Lifetime Occasions Catering opens; Lifetime Assistance, Inc. celebrates 20 years; now serves 1,000 people every day

1999 – Senior Services program for older adults opens on Weiland Road; Lifetime goes “live” on the internet; In-Home Supports begins (now called Community Hab); Post Avenue IRA becomes the first IRA for children with intellectual or developmental disabilities

2002 – Lifetime ranked in top four local agencies for directing maximum funds toward programs and services versus overhead

2003 – Lifetime Assistance employs nearly 800 full time, and serves more than 1,500 per day  from over 40 locations in Monroe County

2005 – Classified Shredding Services begins operation 

2008 – LAICO Industries and Services passes ISO Certification

2009 – Classified Shredding Services passes National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) certification; Workshop starts document scanning as Lifetime Document Management

2010 – Holley Street, Lifetime’s original residence, is renovated and turned into supportive apartments

2013 – Lifetime begins providing In-Home Respite Services

2014 – Lifetime’s first Shared Living home opens; Lifetime’s home on Mandarin Drive offers two residential respite opportunities; Fiscal Intermediary and Support Broker services begin

2015 – First Community Pre-vocational site opens as an alternative to the workshop

2017 – The first integrated housing complex in the area – known as Frances Apartments opens is Brockport; Highview Drive opens for Willowbrook class individuals; Calkins Road opens for individuals that had been placed in nursing homes; Fisher Road opens as a young boys home; Hinchey Road is donated to Lifetime Assistance

2018 – Lifetime Assistance employs 1,500 staff and supports over 1,800 individuals with developmental disabilities